Simply the best musical ever in Ogunquit

Thursday

Jun 28, 2012 at 2:00 AM

It's the standard by which all other musical productions before and since have been judged. "South Pacific" premiered on Broadway in 1949 and it garnered a couple of shelves full of awards. In fact, it won every available show business accolade available, and the current Ogunquit Playhouse revival shows why.

Joe Sheehan

It's the standard by which all other musical productions before and since have been judged. "South Pacific" premiered on Broadway in 1949 and it garnered a couple of shelves full of awards. In fact, it won every available show business accolade available, and the current Ogunquit Playhouse revival shows why.

It is Rodgers and Hammerstein's master work, with a plethora of pleasing music and words wrapped around a story that has romance, radiance and a tinge of race. Just about every show-goer knows the story of Navy nurse Nellie Forbush of Little Rock falling in love with a land baron whose property lines extend to most of the island.

The land baron, Emile de Becque, is portrayed in this production by Branch Fields, a handsome baritone with a richly resonant voice. Fields knows the role he plays extremely well since he was associated with South Pacific's much-lauded revival at Lincoln Center in 2008.

Ensign Nellie is portrayed beautifully by Jennie Sophia, who has toured the country in this role and strengthens the character introduced in the original production by Mary Martin.

The chemistry between Ms. Sophia and Mr. Fields is evident from their first meeting, which awes Nellie and knocks Emile for a loop. But like most romances, there are some bumps in the road, one of the most prominent being Nellie's initial awareness that Emile has two children from his marriage to a Polynesian woman who died a few years earlier. Nellie's Arkansas upbringing gives her pause and then some.

There are some stellar moments in the show, such as a sailor choreography that demonstrates the athleticism of the seamen who also provide a large measure of comic business. Their version of "There Is Nothing Like a Dame" is a genuine audience-pleasing moment of which, by the way, there are many throughout the production.

Bloody Mary, who sells shrunken heads as souvenirs, targets a Marine Corps lieutenant as a suitable husband for her daughter while at the same time hustling the servicemen for any extra dollars. Mary is portrayed by Christine Toy Johnson, a "South Pacific" tour veteran whose eyes gleam with the shine of a first-class con woman.

In addition to the unforgettable music, there is drama woven into the storyline as well. Bloody Mary's hoped-for son-in-law is dropped behind Japanese lines, along with Emile, who is a reluctant volunteer but who, in the end, adorns a hero's mantle.

There is not a weak or paltry voice in the entire cast, and the theme song "Some Enchanted Evening" is superbly handled by Emile and Nellie. Bloody Mary also delivers "Happy Talk" in first-rate fashion.

Special recognition should be given to the show's magnificent music director who leads a large band situated up stage. Their overture to the show gets the audience in the proper mood for a night of complete contentment.

"South Pacific" at the Ogunquit Playhouse runs June 20 to July 15. Ticket prices range from $39 to $74 per show. For show times and reservations, call (207) 646-5511.

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